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Third Thinning in a Mixed White Pine - Hardwood Forest

This is the same stand as the one shown in the previous diorama, approximately 25 years later. Many of the largest trees are now 12 to 16 inches in diameter and of fine quality for timber. This excellence in growth and form for timber production is due to the weedings and thinnings applied periodically since the stand was quite young. Untreated stands do not yield timber of the same quality.

The third thinning reduces the number of timber trees in the hardwood portion of the stand to about 100 per acre, spaced about 20 feet apart. Only the best individuals of the most desirable species, such as red oak, white ash, paper birch, and sugar maple, are left to form the final stand.